New games for release: Nintendo Switch titles, plus ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ and ‘Torment: Tides of Numenera’

Image: AFP Relaxnews

PlayStation tentpole “Horizon Zero Dawn”, the eagerly anticipated “Torment: Tides of Numenera”, and a bunch of other expected titles for the Nintendo Switch are among upcoming video game releases this week.

Horizon Zero Dawn

System: PS4
Date: February 28 (North America), March 1 (international) and March 2 (Japan)

A visually spectacular open-world expedition for human adventurer Aloy, wandering among herds of robo-dinosaurs and looking for the truth of her identity and civilization’s fall. Presented as one of the console’s biggest upcoming releases since the first unveiling in mid-2015. Excellent reviews have put it in the company of PS4 must-have action games “Bloodborne”, “Uncharted 4” and “Nioh.”

Torment: Tides of Numenera

Systems: PS4, XBOX, WinPC, Mac, Linux
Date: February 28

One of Kickstarter’s biggest video game successes to date, and a return to the narrative-driven fantasy world of its outstanding 1999 predecessor that is still upheld as a titan of its role-playing genre (more accurately, a genre-blend in its case). Backers and Early Access purchasers have been playing the game since 2016, leading to a pre-release Steam rating of “very positive” based on 330 user reviews.

Nier: Automata

System: PS4
Dates: February 28 (Japan,) March 7 (North America,) March 10 (Europe)

Sometimes provocative, always multi-layered, 2010 action game “Nier” became a cult favorite for its luscious presentation, quirky activities and a sci-fi fantasy plot that became stranger and stranger. Fans expect more of the same, even though the sequel has swapped studios—it’s coming from PlatinumGames of “Bayonetta” and “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance”. Given an unusually high 39/40 score by Japanese outlet Famitsu.

Nintendo Switch

Date: March 3

A new challenger has appeared. The Switch is Nintendo’s response to the Wii’s phenomenal sales and the increasing popularity of mobile devices as a preferred gaming platform. The Switch is a portable console that can also plug into a TV; detachable controllers mean only one console is needed for play-anywhere multiplayer. Launch games include the minigame collection “1-2 Switch”, the expansive adventure “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”, frenzied “Super Bomberman R”, and a clutch of re-releases including “Just Dance 2017”, “I Am Setsuna”, and “World of Goo”.

Lego Worlds

Systems: PS4, WinPC, XBO
Date: March 7

A worthwhile, branded evolution of the “Minecraft” formula that has proven itself over a lengthy early access period on PC, and now arrives on consoles. Explore land and sea, build cute homes and towering monuments, play with friends on the same screen or online. Switch version has been announced but is not yet dated. JB